Henrico selects new operator for Belmont Golf Course
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A big change is coming to Belmont Golf Course.
The Henrico Board of Supervisors is expected to approve Tuesday night a resolution that would turn operations and management of the Lakeside course over to an outside entity for the next 20 years.
That group (as yet unknown publicly but apparently a not-for-profit one) would lease, operate and maintain the course, set all fees and collect and keep all revenue during that period of time. Henrico would continue to own the course, but the move would free the county from the financial losses it’s experienced in recent years (including about $240,000 in each of the past three fiscal years).
"The lessee will . . . be solely responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining Belmont Golf Course on a not-for-profit basis," according to a board paper for Tuesday's meeting.
The new operator would contribute $3.25 million into an escrow account toward the cost of renovations for the course, and the county would contribute $750,000. The course’s bunkers badly need repair, according to county officials.
As part of the deal, the new operator also will provide Henrico County Public Schools and the Henrico County Police Athletic League free use of the facilities and supplies, along with instructional support, for a youth golf program designed to introduce and develop the game of golf for Henrico County youngsters, according to a board paper.
The agreement would take effect Jan. 1 and be renewable in 5-year increments after its initial 20-year term concludes. Henrico County purchased the golf course in 1977 from the Hermitage Country Club and has operated it ever since.
The move would be another in a line of public-private partnerships announced by Henrico County this year. Others include the planned construction of aquatics centers at Regency Square (in partnership with Thalhimer, The Rebkee Co. and NOVA of Virginia Aquatics) and on Laburnum Avenue (in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Richmond) and plans for an indoor arena and convocation center at the site of Virginia Center Commons (in partnership with The Rebkee Co.).
